Right tackle Kevin Haslam says comparisons to Rutgers' offensive line of 2006 are premature

Chris Faytok/The Star-LedgerRutgers offensive lineman Kevin Haslam (middle) thinks that comparisons between the team's 2006 offensive line and this year's is a bit premature.

Every time that Kevin Haslam pushes the thought out of his head, it pops right back in courtesy of a text message or a phone call from Jeremy Zuttah.

Is this Rutgers offensive line as good as the 2006 one?

"I really can't compare our line to 2006," Haslam said after Wednesday's practice. "That line was obviously a great line. I try not to think about that -- even though Jeremy keeps putting it in my head."

And frankly, there's a reason for that.

For as good as the 2006 offensive line was -- offensive line coach Kyle Flood has called it the "standard-bearer" -- this year's unit might be just as good. If not better.

That 2006 line consisted of Jeremy Zuttah, Pedro Sosa, Cameron Stephenson, Darnell Stapleton and Mike Fladell. All five players have since seen playing time in the NFL. That is certainly a tall order to live up to, which is why Haslam isn't trying to.

"We have the potential to be good," he said. "We have the potential to do anything we want. I think it's big that we see where we can go and what we can accomplish. Just going out and doing it, really. Not worrying about being greater than the 2006 line or anything."

Still the comparisons seem inevitable.

That line in 2006 was a veteran one, that had been to a bowl game the previous year. This year's front five have started a combined 82 games the last two seasons, despite having only two seniors (Haslam and center Ryan Blasczcyk) among them.

While Haslam might not want to admit it, but as far as Rutgers offensive lines go, being lumped into the conversation with the school's best-ever means that at least they're headed in the right direction.

"Yeah, you can think of it that way," Haslam said. "It's nice that we're going in the right direction. I take it as great compliment. You really just hope you can live up to the expectations."